THE CARDINAL GROSBEAK. 199 



number are found as far up on the Ohio as the city of Cincinnati, and they 

 extend to considerable distances into Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. They 

 are found in the maritime districts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where 

 they breed, and where a few remain the whole year; some are also seen in 

 the State of New York, and now and then a straggler proceeds into Massa- 

 chusetts; but farther eastward this species has never been observed. 



This fine songster relishes the interior of the forest, and the heart of the 

 deepest cane-brakes or retired swamps, as well as the neighbourhood of 

 cities. It is constantly found in our fields, orchards and gardens; nay, it 

 often enters the very streets of our southern towns and villages to breed; 

 and it is rare that one goes into a planter's yard without observing the Red- 

 bird skipping about the trees or on the turf beneath them. Go where it 

 may, it is always welcome, and every where a favourite, so rich is its song, 

 and so brilliant its plumage. 



The Cardinal-bird breeds in the Floridas. In the beginning of March I 

 found them already paired in that country, and on the 8th of February near 

 General Hernandez's. In the neighbourhood of Charleston, as well as in 

 Louisiana, they are nearly a month later, and much the same lapse of time 

 takes place again before they form a nest in the State of New Jersey or in 

 that of Kentucky. 



The nest is placed, apparently without much consideration, in some low 

 briar, bush, or tree, often near the fence, the middle of a field, or the interior 

 of a thicket, not far from a cooling stream, to which they are fond of resort- 

 ing, for the purpose of drinking and bathing. Sometimes you find it placed 

 close to the planter's house or in his garden, a few yards from that of the 

 Mocking-bird or the Thrasher. It is composed of dry leaves and twigs, 

 together with a large proportion of dry grass and slips of grape-vines, and is 

 finished within with bent-grass, wrought in a circular form. The eggs are 

 from four to six, of a dull white colour, marked all over with touches of 

 olive-brown. 



In the Southern Districts they now and then raise three broods in the 

 season, but in the Middle States seldom more than one. The young on 

 leaving the nest, frequently follow their parents on the ground for several 

 days, after which they disperse and seek for food apart. During the pairing 

 season, the males are so pugnacious, that although they breed near birds of 

 other species, they never allow one of their own to nestle in their vicinity. 

 One male may be seen following another from bush to bush, emitting a shrill 

 note of anger, and diving towards the fugitive antagonist whenever an oppor- 

 tunity offers, until the latter has escaped quite beyond his jurisdiction, when 

 the conqueror, elated, returns to his grounds, ascends his favourite tree, and 

 pours out his song in full exultation. 



